River Riches: Every Secret Spot, Fish, and Prize in Stardew Valley's Waterways

Stardew Valley River Fishing Planner

Find the best river fishing spots, fish, and profit strategies

Fish Seasons Time Weather Location Value Bundle

River Riches: Every Secret Spot, Fish, and Prize in Stardew Valley’s Waterways

Looking for the ultimate river fishing spots in Stardew Valley? The absolute best place to catch river fish is south of Marnie’s Ranch in Cindersap Forest, where you can consistently land gold-quality fish by casting at maximum distance. This spot-along with strategic fishing during the Trout Derby (Summer 20-21)-will maximize your profit and help complete your Community Center bundles faster. Jump to the gold spot location for an immediate solution, or read on for our complete river fishing mastery guide updated for the 1.6 patch.

Finding the Best River Fishing Spots

Rivers in Stardew Valley aren’t just picturesque features of the landscape-they’re treasure troves for anglers looking to fill their collections, complete bundles, and earn serious gold. The 1.6 update has made river fishing more rewarding than ever with new events, special items, and fish processing methods. But not all riverside spots are created equal. Let’s dive into the specific locations where your fishing rod will yield the best results.

Locating Rivers in Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley features several distinct river systems, each with their own unique characteristics and fish populations. Understanding the geography is your first step toward fishing success.

The primary rivers in Stardew Valley are:

  1. Pelican Town River - Flows through the center of town, past the blacksmith’s shop and Pierre’s General Store.
  2. Cindersap Forest River - Runs through the southern portion of the forest, with a particularly productive stretch near Marnie’s Ranch.
  3. Mountain Lake Outflow - While technically connected to the lake, this river section has distinct fish populations.

Each river section has unique properties that affect what you can catch:

{
  "riverSystems": {
    "pelicanTown": {
      "location": "Central town area",
      "uniqueFish": ["Sunfish", "Shad", "Tiger Trout"],
      "bestSeason": "Spring and Fall",
      "notes": "Good accessibility from farm, moderate fish variety"
    },
    "cindersapForest": {
      "location": "South of Marnie's Ranch",
      "uniqueFish": ["Chub", "Dorado", "Glacierfish"],
      "bestSeason": "Summer and Winter",
      "notes": "Highest chance of gold-quality fish at maximum cast"
    },
    "mountainOutflow": {
      "location": "East of Robin's house",
      "uniqueFish": ["Rainbow Trout", "Salmon"],
      "bestSeason": "Summer and Fall",
      "notes": "Less crowded, good for specific seasonal fish"
    }
  }
}

In the 1.6 update, rivers have become even more important as locations for seasonal events like the Trout Derby. The most notable rivers for regular fishing remain in Cindersap Forest and Pelican Town, with the forest location offering superior quality and variety.

The Cindersap Forest area is particularly notable as it contains multiple water bodies: the river, a pond, and access to the Secret Woods pond. This diversity makes it an excellent all-purpose fishing location throughout the game.

The Gold Spot: South of Marnie’s Farm

Among all river fishing locations in Stardew Valley, one spot stands above the rest-the stretch of river directly south of Marnie’s Ranch in Cindersap Forest. This location has been confirmed by numerous players to consistently yield gold-quality fish when cast at maximum distance.

What makes this spot special:

To find this exact spot:

  1. Head south from your farm to Cindersap Forest
  2. Locate Marnie’s Ranch (northeast corner of the forest)
  3. Travel south from the ranch until you reach the river
  4. Position yourself at the riverbank directly south of the ranch
  5. Cast your line at maximum distance into the deeper water (appears darker blue)

A community tip: “Indeed river south of Marnie will yield gold fishes 100% of the time if you throw at max distance each time.” This has been consistently verified by players across multiple save files and game versions.

The gold quality makes a substantial difference in selling price-approximately 50% more than regular quality fish. For high-value catches like the Dorado (base price 100g), this can mean the difference between 100g and 150g per fish.

Optimal River Fishing Spots by Season

Different river sections excel during specific seasons, making it worthwhile to rotate your fishing spots throughout the year. Here’s the seasonal breakdown of where to cast your line for maximum profit and variety:

Spring:

Summer:

Fall:

Winter:

For optimal results regardless of season:

“My fav spot is to fish near Leah’s cottage in Cindersnap forrest”

This location near Leah’s cottage (south of Cindersap Forest) combines good accessibility with consistent results and has been highlighted by multiple experienced players.

The introduction of the 1.6 update has added new dimensions to seasonal fishing with the addition of fish frenzies-brief periods where specific fish appear in much greater numbers. Keep an eye out for message notifications about these events: “In my gameplay yesterday I got a message that said the Halibut were swarming (or something) down at the beach so I went & for about an hour or so they were leaping around me & Willy caught loads!”

Catching Specific River Fish

Once you’ve found your optimal fishing spot, the next challenge is targeting specific fish. Whether you’re completing Community Center bundles or seeking high-value catches, understanding fish behavior patterns is essential.

Complete Seasonal River Fish Guide

River fish in Stardew Valley have specific seasons, times, and weather conditions when they can be caught. Here’s a comprehensive seasonal breakdown:

Spring River Fish:

Summer River Fish:

Fall River Fish:

Winter River Fish:

River fishing also gives you access to special items like River Jelly, which was added in the 1.6 update: “River Jelly is an item that can be caught using a Fishing Pole during all seasons in the river in Pelican Town and Cindersap Forest.”

For Community Center completion, focusing on weather-dependent fish is crucial since they’re typically the most challenging to obtain. Planning your fishing around the weather forecast can save you significant time.

Community Center River Fish Requirements

The Community Center bundles require several river fish for completion. Here’s what you’ll need specifically from rivers:

Fish Tank - River Fish Bundle:

Specialty Fish Bundle:

Planning your fishing schedule around these requirements will make Community Center completion more efficient. Note that most river fish for bundles are season-specific, so missing them means waiting a full in-game year for another opportunity.

A player-created checklist from Reddit suggests: “Here’s a comprehensive list of items required for the community center, in case anyone finds it useful.” This includes carefully tracking seasonal availability and weather conditions for river fish.

Weather and Time Dependencies for River Fish

Many of the most valuable and bundle-critical river fish have specific weather and time requirements:

Weather-Dependent River Fish:

Time-Dependent River Fish:

To maximize your river fishing effectiveness:

  1. Check the weather forecast daily
  2. Prioritize rainy days for Catfish and Shad
  3. Fish during the specific time windows required for your target fish
  4. Use the appropriate bait and tackle for difficult catches

One community tip notes: “Certain fish can only be caught at certain times 6am-2pm 6pm-2am etc, also certain weather rainy, sunny, etc.” Being aware of these restrictions will prevent frustration when targeting specific fish.

Maximizing River Fishing Profits

River fishing isn’t just about collection-it can be a major source of income, especially with the economic improvements introduced in the 1.6 update. Strategic fishing can yield impressive profits that rival or even exceed farming in the early game.

Most Profitable River Fish by Season

To maximize your gold per hour from river fishing, focus on these high-value seasonal catches:

Spring:

Summer:

Fall:

Winter:

The new fish processing methods introduced in 1.6 can significantly increase profits. As one player notes: “get a fish smoker from willy and get all those fish double the price for more money” This doubles the sale value while preserving the quality rating of the fish.

Quality Enhancement Techniques

Increasing the quality of your river catches dramatically improves profits. Here are proven techniques to consistently land gold and iridium quality fish:

Casting Distance:

Fishing Location Quality:

Boosting Fishing Quality:

A Reddit user theorized about the quality mechanics: “My theory is that luck, location, and fishing level are all a factor, but if you have a fishing level of ~5 or more, these places raise the quality high enough that even bad luck doesn’t bring it down enough to be silver.” While the exact formula is proprietary, testing confirms that casting distance and specific locations have the biggest impact.

One quality enhancement technique players have documented: “Fishing in front of Leahs house seems to get Iridium quality fish when you can cast out far enough.”

Processing River Fish for Higher Value

The 1.6 update introduced several ways to process fish for increased profit:

Fish Smoker:

Fish Pond Processing:

Bait Maker:

The combination of these processing methods can significantly increase the value of your river fishing haul. As one player commented: “It feels a little more rewarding to fish, because it used to feel like a chore.”

Advanced: River-Based Events and Festivals

The 1.6 update has enriched Stardew Valley with new river-focused events that provide both entertainment and valuable rewards. Understanding how to optimize your participation in these events is key to maximizing their benefits.

Trout Derby Guide

The Trout Derby is one of the most significant river-based events added in the 1.6 update:

“The Trout Derby is a fishing mini festival that occurs on the 20th and 21st of Summer. The festival begins at 6:10am and ends at 2:00am on both days. The festival takes place in Cindersap Forest by the river near Marnie’s Ranch.”

This two-day event offers unique rewards through a tag collection system:

“During the festival, players can fish in the river to catch Rainbow Trout, which can be caught all day long and regardless of weather. Each Rainbow Trout catch (from anywhere with the exception of from a Fish Pond) has a 33% chance to give the player a Golden Tag.”

Unlike traditional festivals, the Trout Derby doesn’t shut down the rest of Stardew Valley:

“Unlike other festivals, shops and homes throughout Stardew Valley are not closed on the days of the event, and time continues to pass during the festival. Animals also need to be fed during the event; the game will not automatically consider them to be fed.”

This makes the event more flexible but requires you to manage your time carefully. The rewards from the Trout Derby include exclusive items that cannot be obtained elsewhere, making participation worthwhile even if you’re not typically focused on fishing.

Optimizing Your Trout Derby Experience

To maximize your success at the Trout Derby, follow these player-tested strategies:

Using Specialized Bait:

Equipment Strategy:

Location Tips:

Players have reported varying success rates with Golden Tags, suggesting some randomness in the system:

“That’s incredibly unfortunate. Typically, many of the trout are not ticketed, but having 22 out of 24 is quite extraordinary.”

“I consistently opt for trout bait, which results in catching a significant number of rainbow trout while receiving relatively few tags.”

The most consistent strategy appears to be using challenge bait to catch multiple fish at once: “When reeling in three fish simultaneously, there’s a 99% likelihood of obtaining a tag.”

River Festival Prizes and Rewards

The Trout Derby offers exclusive prizes that can only be obtained through Golden Tag exchanges:

“The first prize the player receives will always be 1 Tent Kit.”

Other prizes from the Golden Tag exchange include:

Golden Tags carry over between derby days and even into subsequent years, allowing you to accumulate them for higher-tier prizes. This enables a strategic approach where you might save tags for more desirable rewards.

In comparison to other fishing festivals:

“Squid Derby > Trout Derby” according to some players, suggesting that the SquidFest (Winter 12-13) may offer more valuable or interesting rewards. However, the Trout Derby is generally considered easier, especially for newer players or those with lower fishing skills.

Advanced: New River Content in the 1.6 Update

The 1.6 update has significantly expanded river-related content in Stardew Valley, adding new items, mechanics, and events that enrich the fishing experience.

New River Items: Jellies and More

One of the most notable additions is River Jelly:

“River Jelly is an item that can be caught using a Fishing Pole during all seasons in the river in Pelican Town and Cindersap Forest, the mountain lake, the Cindersap Forest pond, the pond at the Desert, the pond in the Secret Woods, at Ginger Island West (freshwater) and North, and on all Farm Maps except for the Standard and Beach Farm Maps.”

River Jelly has several unique properties:

Similar to River Jelly is Sea Jelly, which offers different benefits:

These jellies represent a new category of fishing items that blur the line between fish and artifacts, offering both utility and collection value.

For those having trouble finding River Jelly, there are several strategies:

"Fishing up River Jelly with your Fishing Pole is the most reliable way of finding it… Here are some tips to make finding River Jelly a little easier:

Fishing Enhancements and Tools

The 1.6 update introduced several new fishing tools that enhance the river fishing experience:

Fish Smoker:

Bait Maker:

New Fishing Rod:

Specialized Bait Types:

Players have enthusiastically embraced these new features:

“This update has absolutely rekindled my love for it and I’m enjoying it more than ever, I’m so happy”

“I fish so much in 1.6 compared to 1.5 it’s crazy”

These enhancements make river fishing more strategic and rewarding, with the specialized tools allowing for more targeted approaches to catching specific fish.

Fish Frenzies and Special Events

Beyond the Trout Derby, the 1.6 update introduced other fish-related events:

Fish Frenzies:

Spawning Seasons:

These dynamic events add unpredictability and excitement to river fishing, encouraging players to adapt their strategies based on the current conditions in Stardew Valley.

The developer has clearly focused on enriching the fishing experience in this update:

“1.6 update has done a lot for mushrooms, too. I used to always get the fruit bat cave, but with the addition of the dehydrator, I’ve been obsessed with the mushroom cave!”

This comment, while not directly about fishing, demonstrates how the 1.6 update has enriched multiple gameplay systems with new processing methods and items.

Tools: Equipment and Items for River Fishing

Having the right equipment dramatically improves your river fishing efficiency. The 1.6 update expanded the available tools, making specialized setups more viable than ever.

Best Rods and Tackles for River Fishing

Choosing the right rod and tackle combination is essential for river fishing success:

Fishing Rod Progression:

  1. Training Rod (no tackles, limited to basic fish)
  2. Bamboo Pole (no tackles)
  3. Fiberglass Rod (tackles usable)
  4. Iridium Rod (tackles and bait usable)
  5. Master Rod (1.6 addition, allows two tackles)

The Master Rod is particularly valuable for river fishing as it allows you to combine two tackle effects-for example, using both a Cork Bobber for larger fishing bars and a Trap Bobber to slow fish escape.

Best Tackles for River Fish:

For the Trout Derby specifically, players recommend: “Tips: Dressed Spinner, Trout Soup and a load of Deluxe Bait.”

The fishing mechanics in 1.6 have received substantial improvements: “I think before the update I felt like fishing was just a necessary task for a few achievements, but I think it’s really been integrated to be more of a viable option for overall role-play now.”

Specialized Bait for River Fish

The 1.6 update introduced targeted bait, allowing for more efficient fishing for specific species:

Bait Types:

For the Trout Derby, targeted bait is particularly valuable:

“I’ve been using the specialized bait bucket (the blue one with a green fish on it) and managed to collect 15 tickets with it. I’ve snagged all the prizes twice!”

“if you all try to use the fish bait maker… it brought me to get about 30 tickets compared to my 5 the other day without the bait maker”

Players have also discovered that challenge bait dramatically increases Golden Tag odds during the Trout Derby:

“Utilizing challenge bait is nearly essential. If you manage to secure a triple catch, you can be certain that you’ll earn a ticket.”

This is because the game’s mechanics give each Rainbow Trout a 33% chance of providing a Golden Tag, and with multiple fish caught simultaneously, these odds stack (66% for two fish, 99% for three).

Fish Smoker and Bait Maker Usage

The new processing tools added in 1.6 have transformed how players handle their river catches:

Fish Smoker:

Bait Maker:

These tools create a complete ecosystem for river fishing: catch fish, process some into bait with the Bait Maker, use that bait to catch more valuable fish, then smoke those valuable fish for double profits.

The Fish Smoker in particular has dramatically increased fishing profitability: “Especially with the fish smoker” making fishing “more of a viable option for overall role-play now.”

Tools: Troubleshooting Common River Fishing Issues

Even experienced anglers encounter difficulties when fishing Stardew Valley’s rivers. These solutions address the most common frustrations players face.

Improving Catch Rates with Poor Luck

Daily luck and fishing conditions can sometimes leave you catching more trash than fish. Here’s how to counter bad luck:

Luck Enhancement:

Location Adjustment:

Using the Right Bait:

If you’re struggling with the Trout Derby specifically, players have noted that results can vary significantly between days:

“At least on day 1 I got like 9 tickets” compared to only 2 tickets from 24 trout on another day. This suggests that trying again the next day might yield better results.

Managing Inventory While River Fishing

Extended fishing sessions often lead to inventory management challenges:

Inventory Tips:

Tent Kit Usage:

Bait Maker Efficiency:

These inventory management techniques help maximize your fishing time and profit without frequent trips back to storage.

Optimizing Time Usage During River Events

River events like the Trout Derby require strategic time management:

Event Timing:

Focus on High-Value Activities:

Efficiency Tips:

While the Trout Derby runs for two full days, careful planning can help you get all rewards in just one day, freeing up the second day for other activities. As one player noted: “Once I’ve collected all the rewards, I don’t bother with it again in that save file.”

River Fishing and Community Integration

River fishing isn’t just a solitary pursuit in Stardew Valley-it connects deeply with the community and other game systems. Understanding these connections enhances both your fishing experience and overall gameplay.

River Fish for Friendship and Gifting

Fish caught in rivers can strengthen your relationships with villagers:

Fish as Gifts:

Festival Participation:

Special Requests:

Interestingly, the new jellies introduced in 1.6 aren’t popular gifts: “River Jelly is not liked by any villagers as a gift, receiving ‘Hate’ reactions from all characters.” The same applies to Sea Jelly.

River Fishing for Farm Development

Successful river fishing contributes significantly to farm growth, especially in early game:

Economic Benefits:

Collection Completion:

Processing Infrastructure:

The 1.6 update enhanced these connections through new processing options: “get a fish smoker from willy and get all those fish double the price for more money and meaning to the event”

Connecting River Fishing with Other Game Systems

River fishing integrates with numerous other game systems:

Connection to Cooking:

Environmental Awareness:

Skill Synergies:

The 1.6 update strengthened these connections: “1.6 update is really keeping the art o’ fishing alive.” The new events, items, and processing methods have turned fishing from an isolated activity into a more integrated part of the Stardew Valley experience.

Special Case: Legendaries and Rare River Fish

Beyond common river fish, Stardew Valley’s waterways hide legendary and rare specimens that pose unique challenges and offer special rewards.

Catching Legendary River Fish

Stardew Valley features several legendary river fish that can be caught only once per save file (unless you’re catching the “Jr.” versions introduced in later updates):

The Angler (Fall):

The Glacierfish (Winter):

The Legend (Spring):

Tips for legendary fish:

River Jelly and Special Items

The 1.6 update introduced unique non-fish items that can be caught in rivers:

River Jelly:

Finding River Jelly:

Alternative Sources:

These special items add collection value beyond just the standard fish, enhancing the completionist aspect of river fishing.

Trophy Fish and Aquarium Display

Beyond their sale value, river fish can be displayed as trophies:

Fish Tanks and Aquariums:

Mounted Fish:

These display options add aesthetic and decorative dimensions to river fishing, allowing you to showcase your achievements beyond just selling or consuming your catches.

River Fishing Community Tips and Tricks

The Stardew Valley community has discovered numerous advanced strategies for river fishing that aren’t documented in official guides. These player-tested methods can significantly improve your fishing experience.

Player-Discovered Fishing Spots

Beyond the officially recognized fishing locations, players have identified several “magic spots” that consistently yield better results:

Gold-Quality Spots:

Profit-Focused Spots:

Specialty Fish Locations:

These community-discovered spots often rely on specific game mechanics like casting distance and water depth that affect fish quality and variety.

Unconventional Strategies

Experienced players have developed strategies that leverage game mechanics in creative ways:

Triple Catch Technique:

Festival Preparation:

Time Optimization:

One particularly intriguing technique involves repeatedly casting into the same spot during certain events: “if you have mastery goals” for fishing, this can help reach them more quickly.

Community Debates and Findings

The fishing community within Stardew Valley has ongoing debates about optimal strategies:

Event Value Discussions:

Technique Effectiveness:

Update Impact Analysis:

These community findings often reveal mechanics not explicitly stated in the game, such as the exact percentage increase in gold quality fish at certain locations or the precise effects of various tackle combinations.

River Fishing Troubleshooting

Even with the best strategies, river fishing can sometimes prove frustrating. Here are solutions to the most common problems players encounter.

“I Can’t Find Any River Fish!”

If you’re struggling to catch river fish:

Problem: Fishing in the wrong water type
Solution: Confirm you’re in a river and not a lake or pond. Rivers typically have flowing water and are narrow. “Go to the town, the water near clints is a river.”

Problem: Wrong season for your target fish
Solution: Check the seasonal availability. “Certain fish can only be caught at certain times 6am-2pm 6pm-2am etc, also certain weather rainy, sunny, etc.”

Problem: Wrong weather conditions
Solution: Some fish only appear during specific weather. “Catfish: Spring and fall, during rainy mornings.”

Problem: Fishing level too low
Solution: Some river fish require higher fishing levels. Eat fishing buff foods or practice with easier fish to level up.

“I Can’t Catch Difficult River Fish!”

When you’re hooking but failing to catch challenging river fish:

Problem: Fish moving too quickly in the minigame
Solution: Use a Trap Bobber to slow escape rate. “Fishing food, quality bait, trap bobber(and fishing mastery with a 2nd bobber like cork bobber if you really need it)”

Problem: Fishing bar too small
Solution: Use a Cork Bobber to increase bar size. Try the Master Rod to combine with a Trap Bobber. Eat fishing buff foods like Dish O’ The Sea or Trout Soup.

Problem: Erratic fish movement patterns
Solution: Practice timing and anticipate movements. Use the new Master Rod with two tackles for better control.

“I’m Getting Low Quality Fish!”

If your river catches are consistently low quality:

Problem: Not casting far enough
Solution: “If you throw at max distance each time” you significantly increase quality chance. Cast to maximum distance using the power bar.

Solution: Find gold-quality spots. “River right next to Leah’s house” is identified as a gold-rated spot. “Fishing in front of Leahs house seems to get Iridium quality fish when you can cast out far enough.”

Problem: Low fishing level affecting quality
Solution: Raise your fishing skill or use fishing buff foods. “If you have a fishing level of ~5 or more, these places raise the quality high enough that even bad luck doesn’t bring it down”

“The Trout Derby Isn’t Giving Me Tags!”

For Trout Derby-specific issues:

Problem: Low tag drop rate
Solution: Use challenge bait for multiple catches. “When reeling in three fish simultaneously, there’s a 99% likelihood of obtaining a tag.”

Problem: Catching non-trout fish
Solution: Use targeted bait. “I’ve been using the specialized bait bucket (the blue one with a green fish on it) and managed to collect 15 tickets with it.”

Problem: Poor luck affecting results
Solution: “Also look for your daily luck.” Try fishing on a luckier day, or use luck-boosting foods.

Problem: Unsure about mechanic details
Solution: “Each Rainbow Trout catch has a 33% chance to give the player a Golden Tag. This chance is multiplied by the number of Rainbow Trout caught”

Future of River Fishing in Stardew Valley

With the 1.6 update bringing significant enhancements to fishing, players are speculating about what might come next for river fishing in Stardew Valley. While we don’t have official announcements, community discussions and recent patterns offer some insights.

Community Wishlist

Based on player discussions, here are the most commonly requested river fishing enhancements:

More River-Specific Events:

Additional Processing Methods:

Enhanced Fishing Mechanics:

Players have embraced the 1.6 changes enthusiastically: “This update has absolutely rekindled my love for it and I’m enjoying it more than ever, I’m so happy” suggesting that further fishing enhancements would be well-received.

Integration with Farm Planning

As Stardew Valley continues to evolve, river fishing is becoming more integrated with overall farm strategy:

Water Features:

Production Chains:

Economic Balance:

The expanding role of river fishing suggests that future updates might further develop this aspect of gameplay from a supplementary activity to a potential core mechanic.

Speculation on New Content

Based on patterns in the 1.6 update, we might reasonably anticipate these developments for river fishing:

Additional Rare Finds:

Expanded River Locations:

Enhanced Social Elements:

The developer’s focus on fishing in 1.6 indicates that there may be more to come: “Of all the new town events they seem to mostly be fishing related or include a fishing element… Plus the smoker, new kinds of bait (older game had two kinds of bait I think) special decorative bobbers, new fish, and possibly more I haven’t encountered.”

Action Steps Recap

To master river fishing in Stardew Valley: Start at the gold spot south of Marnie’s Ranch, cast at maximum distance for gold-quality fish, use the Fish Smoker to double profits, participate in the Trout Derby with challenge bait for triple catches, and collect River Jelly to craft essential fishing tools.

Further Resources

River Fishing Patch History

Date Change Note Impact on River Fishing
March 19, 2024 1.6 Update Released Added Trout Derby, River Jelly, Fish Smoker, Bait Maker, new fishing rod
December 21, 2021 1.5.5 Update Bug fixes for fishing mechanics and fish availability
November 30, 2020 1.5 Update Added Ginger Island with new fishing locations, fish ponds enhancements
November 26, 2019 1.4 Update Added fish ponds, new fish, and fishing-related items
December 18, 2018 1.3.36 Update Fixed river fishing mechanics and spawn rates
May 3, 2018 1.3 Update Added multiplayer fishing, new seasonal fish
April 24, 2017 1.2 Update Added new river fish variety and fishing rewards
October 3, 2016 1.1 Update Improved fishing interface, added new river fish
February 26, 2016 1.0 Release Initial river fishing system implemented